I am pleased that Labour is putting up to £4 million into the campaign to keep local pubs open. Council’s will be given new powers through the Planning system to intervene before a pub is demolished, giving a pause in the system for the local community to have their say. Pub’s threatened by closure will be allowed to extend their business without planning permission into new commercial ventures ranging from restaurants to gift shops and book shops.

Landlords will be able to get business advice through the “Pub is the Hub” voluntary support service. Government is helping to fund this group, a first step for advice on diversification and access to Business Link.

Also, tenant landlords will be able to buy locally sourced ales to increase choice, thereby relaxing the “beer tie” of only buying beer from the brewery/pub companies. Restrictive covenants will be ended which stop a property continuing as a pub when it is sold.

Finally, the Chairman of the Learning and Skills Council will carry out a study into ownership and management in the industry. Government will also examine ownership and management, and where more support can be offered. I sincerely hope that these measures positively help the pub industry and help keep local pubs open. Indeed, we have lost a couple of pubs in Kidderminster where we held Labour Party meetings. The Eagles Nest and very recently The Sutton Arms. It’s too late in these instances, but perhaps Labour’s initiative will help save other pubs in Wyre Forest.